The Farr Side: Music has been companion for 40 years

Thursday

Sep 20, 2012 at 9:00 AM

It was 40 years ago this week that the world got to meet me.

By David T. FarrJournal Correspondent

It was 40 years ago this week that the world got to meet me. I know, right! What a blessed day Sept. 21, 1972, was for my parents, Raymond J. and Lillian Farr. I was the their third son to come along, the youngest of The Farr boys.

I came into the world as President Ferdinand E. Marcos had declared martial law in the Philippines after a series of bombings and terrorist strikes against the government. USSR performed its first underground nuclear test and the average cost of a gallon of gas was 55 cents.

As I'm typing this, I'm thinking that news events and life hasn't really changed all that much. Terrorism still poses a major threat and Iran is playing with nuclear technology now. But the price of gas? That's a column for another day.

Music has always played an important role in my life, so I decided to share with you the music of my birthday during those "key" years. You can do the same by visiting www.thisdayinmusic.com.

So, as Dr. Lewis was spanking my rear end in the delivery room, Mac Davis was enjoying the No. 1 song in the country with "Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me." Funny, but I've always liked that song.

I turned 5 at the height of the disco era. The Emotions celebrated with me as "Best Of My Love" hit the top of the charts.

Turning 10 was like a magic trick or something. The Steve Miller Band was at No. 1 with "Abracadabra."

"Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits was at No. 1 when I became a teenager. Thank goodness for birthday money, chicks aren't free.

It was a little ironic the day I got my driver's license. "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin was No. 1. I can remember telling my parents as I drove off in their car to the St. Joseph County Grange Fair, "Don't worry, be happy ... I'll be OK."

I turned 18 at the beginning of my senior year in high school. Wilson Phillips' "Release Me" was the No. 1 song that week.

At 21, it was Mariah Carey's "Dream Lover" at No. 1, which after a few beers anyone from across the bar looked like her. Carey also stuck around to celebrate my 25th with "Honey" at No. 1

Turning 30 was tough. Rapper Nelly and Kelly Rowland were on top with "Dilemma." For 35, it was Soulja Boys' "Crank That" topping the charts.

Looking back, it's obvious how music styles and tastes change to reflect the times. These songs prove that, for sure. But I do like them all. They make up the soundtrack of my life. Music also keeps me feeling young. Some might think of 40 as old, but it' just another number.

This week it happens to be Taylor Swift who gets the coveted honor of having the No. 1 song on my 40th birthday, with "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

I happen to share my birthday (www.famousbirthday.com) with a few other people you might know, too. Faith Hill, Luke Wilson, Liam Gallagher, Cheryl Hines, Ricki Lake, Don Felder, Rob Morrow, Tyler Stewart, Jon Kitna, David James Elliott, Dave Coulier, Ethan Coen, Nancy Travis, Alfonso Ribeiro, Larry Hagman, Stephen King, Bill Murray, Jerry Bruckheimer, H.G. Wells, Greg Jennings, and Nicole Richie all were born on 9/21 as was Leonard Cohen, who wrote one of my all-time favorite songs "Hallelujah." It sort of makes the lines, "I've heard there was a secret chord/That David played, and it pleased the Lord" all that much more special to me.

David T. Farr is a Journal Correspondent. E-mail him at farrboy@hotmail.com. You can also find The Farr Side on Facebook.